Container insert tray for ovoid articles



Jan. 25, 1955 E. D. GILLAM 2,700,456

CONTAINER INSERT TRAY FOR OVOID ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1950 68:1- I INVENTOR. 46 I 45 EDWARD D. GILLAM 42 I BY as 6 I W ATTORNEY.

Jan. 25, 1955 E. D. GILLAM 2,700,456

CONTAINER INSERT TRAY FOR OVOID ARTICLES Filed July 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 56 z 52 5| T u T 5 5 L 16 us (I? Is 4| 47 INVENTOR.

EDWARD o. GILLAM ATTORNEY.

Jan. 25, 1955 E. D. GILLAM 2,700,456

CONTAINER INSERT TRAY FOR OVOID ARTICLES Filed July 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 8

FIG.9

' INVENTQR. EDWARD D. GiLLAM @TWW ATTORNEY.

CONTAINER INSERT TRAY FOR OVOID ARTICLES Edward D. Gillam, Philadelphim Pa.

Application July 14, 1950, Serial No. 173,711

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-4514) This invention relates to packages for ovoid articles more particularly to an improved form of package for carrying and displaying an ovoid article such as a decorated candy egg.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a package for ovoid articles in which the article is displayed while covered and protected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a package for ovoid articles having a display window, an interior holder or tray which will permit of the easy insertion of the tray or holder into an outer box or container, and in which the ovoid article is securely held and protected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in a package of the character aforesaid, an improved tray or holder which is readily insertible in and removable from an outer box or container, and which is securely held when in the inserted position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in a package of the character aforesaid, a tray or holder which provides an attractive appearance in the interior of the container, which may be provided with suitable labeling visible from the exterior, and which is particularly adapted to be made from a single piece of flexible material such as cardboard, paperboard, or the like, having a single finished face for printing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in a tray or holder of the character aforesaid, improved gripping and holding means for the ovoid article.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a package in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the tray or holder removed from the outer box;

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the holder or tray;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken approximately on line 44 of Fig. 3 showing the relation of the tray to the outer box;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the relation of the tray to the outer box; a

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; V

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a blanked sheet from which the tray or holder is made, the same being shown in flat condition beforebeing set up;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of another blanked sheet in fiat condition from which a modified vform of tray or holder can be made; and

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of another blanked sheet in flat condition from which a further modified form of tray or holder can be made.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may'be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the package in accordance 41 is separated from the panels 15 Patented Jan. 25, 1955 with the present invention preferablyincludes an outer box B and an inner tray or holder T, hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 7, the sheet or blank 10, from which the tray or holder T, is made as therein shown preferably consists of a single sheet of material such as cardboard, paperboard, or similar tough and flexible material, finished on one face thereof for printing, if desired, with predetermined margins, slitted, and with crease lines (shown herein as broken lines) formed thereon to provide the desired constituent portions.

The constituent portions of the blank 10 from which the tray T is formed preferably include a rectangular bottom wall panel 11 at the central portion of the blank 10 having along one side edge thereof, and connected thereto along a longitudinal crease line 12, a rectangular outer rear wall panel 13.

The panel 11, along the opposite edge thereof and connected thereto along a longitudinal crease line 14 has a panel 15. The panel 15 has connected thereto, along alined longitudinal creas' lines 16, a front end panel 17 of rectangular shape provided with an extension or tongue, 18 formed by a slit line 19, of U-shape, in the panel 15. The crease lines 16 are preferably located equi-distant from the longitudinal marginal edge 20 of the panel 17 and from the longitudinal crease line 14. The crease line 14 along a portion of its length may be provided with a slit 21 for facilitating bending for setting up.

Along the side edges of the bottom panel 11, and connected thereto along transverse crease lines 25 and 26, rectangular end wall panels 27 and 28 are provided.

The end wall panels 27 and 28 are respectively provided, along crease lines 29 and 30 which may be formed as extensions of the crease line 12, with rectangular panels 31 and 32 having marginal edges 33 and 34 which are adapted to meet when the tray or holder T is in assembled condition and with marginal edges 35 and 36. The panels 31 and 32 are sepapated frpm the panel 13 by slits 37 and 38. p

The end wall panels 27 and 28 are provided, at their opposite edges, and joined thereto along crease lines 39 and 40, formed as extensions of the crease line 14, with rectangular spacing panels 41 and 42. The panel and 17 by a slit line 43 and the panel 42 is separated from the panels 15 and 17 by a slit line 44.

The panels 41 and 42 have longitudinal marginal edges 45 and 46, spaced at predetermined distances from the crease lines 39 and 40 for aiding in positioning the tray or holder T Within the outer container B, as hereinafter more fully explained, and have marginal edges 47 and 48 alined respectively with the marginal edges 35 and 36.

The end panels 27 and 28 are provided with end tabs 49 and 50 joined thereto respectively, along crease lines 51 and 52 alined respectively with the marginal edges 35 and 47 and the marginal edges 36 and 48.

The end wall panels 49 and 50 respectively have transverse end marginal edges 53 and 54 provided at the central portions thereof with arcuate cut-outs 55 and 56 for insertion of fingers of the user, as hereinafter explained. The marginal edges 53 and 54 are preferably spaced at the same predetermined distances from the crease lines 51 and 52 as the edges 45 and 46 are spaced from the crease lines 39 and 40.

The tab 49 has edge margins 57 and 58, respectively, alined with the crease lines 29 and 39 and the tab 50 has edge margins 59 and 60, respectively, alined with the crease lines 30 and 40.

The end wall panel 27 is provided with a wall spacing tongue 65 extending from the crease line 25 and separated from the panel by curved side slits 66, at the outer end of which angularly disposed slits 67 are provided, connected by a transversely extending slit 68 parallel to the crease line 25 and spaced from the crease line 25 a predetermined distance which is preferably the same as the distance between the crease line 39 and the edge 45.

Immediately beyond the side slits 66, and outwardly disposed with respect thereto, holding tabs 69 are provided, connected to the wall panel along longitudinal crease lines 70 and separated therefrom by slits 71. The tabs 69 are provided to permit of clearance for the edge decoration customarily provided on Easter eggs and for gripping engagement with the edge decoration. In the space between the tabs .69 a plurality of tapered gripping tabs 72 are provided, separated from each other by slits 73 and connected to the end panel 27 along crease lines 74. The slits 73 preferably extend beyond .the crease lines 74 to facilitate bending, to provide a better gripping action of their edges on the surface of the egg and to permit of accommodation to irregularities .of the upper surface by reason of the surface decorations, and to permit of accommodation to variations in sizes and shape found in eggs of the same weight.

The end Wall panel 28 is provided with a wall spacing tongue 65a extending from the crease line 26 and similar in shape and in the bounding slits 66a, 67a and 68a to the tongue 65 and its bounding slits.

The slit 68a ispreferably spaced from the crease line 26 a predetermined distance which is preferably the same as the distance between the crease line 4st) and the edge 46.

The tongue 65a, between the slits 66a is preferably larger than the tongue 65 to accommodate eggs which are larger at one end than at the other.

The tongue 65a has, disposed outwardly with respect thereto, holding tabs 69a, crease lines 70a, slits 71a, gripping tabs 72a, slits 73a, and crease lines 74a, similar to the corresponding portions on the panel 27 but of larger size or outward extent to accommodate the larger end of an egg.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, the blank may be readily folded to assembled condition, as illustrated in Fig. 2, by bending the panels 31 and 32 upwardly along the crease lines 29 and 3t bending the panels 49 and 50 downwardly along the crease lines 51 and S2, bending the panels 41 and 42 downwardly along the crease lines 39 and 40, bending the panel 13 upwardly along the crease line 12, bending the panel 15 upwardly along the crease line 14, and bending the panel 17 downwardly along the crease lines 16. The end wall panels 27 and 28 are then elevated by bending along the crease lines and 26 with the tongues 65 and 65a disposed in flat condition and with the panels 31 and 32 in front of the panel 13.

It will be noted that, if desired, the panel 15 may be bent downwardly along the crease line 14 and the panels 15 and 17 disposed in flat condition below the bottom wall panel 11.

The egg may be inserted in position in the tray T and resting on the bottom wall panel 11, before the upward bending of the end wall panels 27 and 23, or these panels may be preliminarily bent, then flattened and then again bent upwardly with the egg in position. With the egg in position between the end wall panels 27 and 28 and extending therethrough, the tongues 72 and 72a are bent outwardly and accommodate themselves to the exterior upper surface of the egg, to various departures of the egg from its expected size and shape, or to irregularities in the, upper surface decorations of the egg.

With the end wall panels 27 and 28 in vertical position, the tabs 49 and 50 serve for manually gripping at the cut-outs 5S and 56 for raising and lowering the tray T and for insertion of the tray T in any suitable container, such as the box B, which is made of cardboard, paperboard, or the like.

While any preferred type of exterior box may be employed, it is preferred to use a box having a bottom wall 86 of any preferred construction, vertical end walls 81, a rear wall 82, a front wall 83 and top wall 84 provided with a transparent window opening 85. The top wall 84 is preferably hinged at its junction 86 with the front wall 83 to permit of opening for access to the interior.

The side margins of the window opening 85 are preferably located substantially in 'alinement with the inner faces of the end wall panels 27 and 28 and with the lower margin of the window opening 85 at the same height as the crease lines; 16 when the tray T is in setup position illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that the bottom wall panel 11 rests on the bottom wall 81} and the tongues 65 and 65a extend along the bottom wall 80 and engage at their edges with the inner; faces'of the end walls. 81 The. panels 41 and- 42 extend along the interior of the front wall 83 and engage at their edges with the inner faces of the end walls 81. The panels 49 and 50 extend to and engage with the inner faces of the end walls 81. The panel 13 is held in vertical position in engagement with the rear faces of the panels 31 and 32 by the rear wall 82. The tray T is thus held in the box B against longitudinal movement.

The end wall panels 27 and 28, with the other struc- Itjure prevent transverse movement of the tray T in the ox B.

It will be noted that with the tray T in assembled or set-up position, and by reason of the use of the panels 11, 27, 28, 31 and 32, the entire visible portion of the tray T, when in the container B may be the single finished surface of the sheet and which may be printed or otherwise ornamented, if desired.

It will also be noted that with the extension 18 in up ward position, suitable identification of the egg and its contents is available for inspection by the purchaser.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8 and 9 the sheets or blanks and 210 therein shown are substantially similar to the blank 10. A rear Wall panel 113 is provided connected to the central bottom wall panel by a crease line 12. The rear wall panel 113 has a marginal edge 113a which is spaced from the crease line 12 substantially the same distance as the respective distances between the crease lines 25 and 51 and the crease lines 26 and 52. The rear wall panel 113 thus can serve to cover the interior of the rear wall 82 of the box B in place of the pair of panels 31 and 32 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The end wall panels 27 and 23 are respectively provided, along crease lines 29 and 39, with rectangular panels 131 and 132 having marginal edges 133 and 134, which are spaced the same distance from the crease lines 29 and 30 as the marginal edges 45 and 46 are spaced from the crease lines 32 and 49.

The panels 131 and 132 are adapted to be folded along the crease lines 29 and 30 to positions parallel to the panels 41 and 42 when the latter are folded along the crease lines 39 and 4t and thus provide with the end tabs 49 and 50 spacing frames for the end wall panels 27 and 28.

As shown in Fig. 8, the panels 131 and 132 are provided with gluing tabs 186 which are connected thereto along crease lines 187, and the panels 41 and 42 are provided with gluing tabs 188 which are connected thereto along crease lines 189. The tabs 1% and 188 are adapted to'have their upper faces secured to the lower face of the end tabs 49 and 56, to render relatively rigid the spacing frames extending outwardly from the end panels 27 and 28.

As shown in Fig. 9, the panels 131 and 132 are provided with locking tongues 19%, which are connected thereto along crease lines 191, and the panels 41 and 42 are provided with locking tongues 192 which are connected thereto along crease lines 193. Slits 194 are pro vided in the end tabs 49 and 59 for engagement by the tongues 190 and 192 to render relatively rigid the end spacing frames extending outwardly from the end panels 27 and 28.

'I claim:

1. A tray for insertion in a container and for the retention of anovoid article comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide a receptacle open at the top and at the front and having as integral parts thereof a central horizontal bottom panel, vertical end Wall panels hingedly connected directly to said central panel along a transverse crease line at each end of said central panel, a rear panel connected to said bottom wall panel along a longitudinal crease line, vertical tray positionmg panels connected to said end wall panels along long tudinal crease lines and having outer marginal edges terminating in spaced vertical end planes, horizontal end tabs connected to said end wall panels along transverse crease lines, said end tabs having outer marginal edges in the same end planes as said other marginal edges whereby said end wall panels are inwardly disposed with respect to said planes, said end wall panels having article receivmg openings extending to the bottom wall panel with article gripping tongues along upper edge portions of said openings and with tray positioning and article receiving tongues at the lower edges of said openings extendingv in the. plane of the. bottom wall from transverse edges of said bottom wall panel to said end planes.

2. A tray for insertion in a container and for the retention of an ovoid article comprising a sheet of flexible material blanked and creased to provide a receptacle open at the top and at the front and having as integral parts thereof a central horizontal bottom panel, vertical end wall panels hingedly connected to said central panel along a transverse crease line at each end of said central panel, a vertical rear panel connected to said bottom wall panel along a longitudinal crease line, vertical tray positioning panels connected to said end wall panels along longitudinal crease lines, horizontal end, tabs connected to said end wall panels along transverse crease lines, said end tabs having recessed gripping portions provided thereon, said end wall panels having article receiving openings extending to the bottom wall panel with article engaging tongues along upper marginal edge portions of said openings, said tongues being separated by slits and provided with transverse crease lines intermediate the free ends of the tongues and the inner ends of the slits, and said bottom 6 wall panel having a tray positioning and article receiving tongue extending from opposite transverse marginal edge portions thereof and in the same plane therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,504,292 Wickes Aug. 12, 1924 1,520,513 Sandor Dec. 23, 1924 1,813,812 Molkenthin July 7, 1931 1,865,268 Morris June 28, 1932 2,019,250 Collins Oct. 29, 1935 2,034,809 Grant Mar. 24, 1936 2,162,089 Kagen June 13, 1939 2,377,604 Belden June 5, 1945 2,397,041 Pantalone Mar. 19, 1946 2,442,980 Lewis June 8, 1948 2,528,016 Smith Oct. 31, 1950 2,638,210 Sparks May 12, 1953 

